OVIEDO, Fla. (Interstat) — The UCF Knights rode a high-powered offensive performance to a 102-80 victory over the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at CFE Arena. The teams were tied at 49 at halftime, but the Knights seized control with a 53-point second half. UCF’s efficiency was key, as they shot 52.1% from the field and made 19 3-pointers. Themus Fulks led UCF with 21 points and five assists, while Jordan Burks scored 23 points. Jordan Ellerbee paced Florida Gulf Coast with 21 points. UCF improved to 10-1, while Florida Gulf Coast fell to 5-7. An announced crowd of 5,481 attended.

OVIEDO, Fla. (Interstat) — A blistering offensive display, fueled by a dominant second-half performance, propelled the UCF Knights to a decisive 102-80 victory over the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in a non-conference men’s basketball game Saturday at a sold-out CFE Arena. The game, witnessed by 5,481 fans, was a tale of two halves defined by shooting efficiency. After entering halftime tied at 49, the Knights erupted for 53 points in the second period while holding the Eagles to 31, turning a competitive contest into a runaway win. The most important part of the game was UCF’s overwhelming and sustained offensive execution after the break. While Florida Gulf Coast shot a remarkable 55.6% from three-point range for the game, making 15 of 27 attempts, they could not keep pace with a UCF attack that was superior in nearly every other facet. The Knights matched the Eagles’ long-range prowess, hitting 19 of 35 from beyond the arc, and supplemented it with a commanding advantage in paint points, second-chance opportunities, and points off turnovers. UCF’s offensive rating of 142.3, scoring 102 points on 72 possessions, underscored a level of efficiency the Eagles could not answer. The Knights capitalized on 15 offensive rebounds to generate extra looks and turned 15 Florida Gulf Coast turnovers into 21 points, while committing only eight turnovers themselves. Themus Fulks orchestrated the Knights’ attack, scoring 21 points and dishing out five assists. Jordan Burks provided a game-high 23 points, including five three-pointers, and added two assists and a block. The Knights’ depth was on full display as Devan Cambridge scored 16 points, Jamichael Stillwell added 14 points and nine rebounds, and Chris Johnson contributed 12 points and five assists. George Beale provided a late spark off the bench, scoring all nine of his points in the final minutes, including a trio of three-pointers. For Florida Gulf Coast, Jordan Ellerbee led the way with 21 points and three assists. Rory Stewart and JR Konieczny each added 17 points, with Stewart hitting five three-pointers. Despite their hot shooting, the Eagles were hampered by their inability to secure defensive rebounds or protect the ball, leading to the Knights’ separation. The win improved UCF’s record to 10-1, continuing a strong start to the season that includes notable victories over Pittsburgh and Texas A&M. The Knights, who were installed as 16.5-point favorites, covered the spread with their second-half surge. The combined score of 182 points sailed over the pregame over/under line of 157. Florida Gulf Coast fell to 5-7 with the loss, their fourth in the last five games. The Eagles will look to rebound as they return home to face Fort Lauderdale on December 28. UCF continues its homestand, preparing for a matchup against Florida Atlantic on Tuesday.

Preview: Florida Gulf Coast Eagles at UCF Knights OVIEDO, Fla. (Interstat) — A surging UCF team will look to extend its dominant start to the season when it hosts a struggling Florida Gulf Coast squad in a non-conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at CFE Arena. The Knights (9-1) have won five straight games, most recently an 81-63 victory over Mercer on Wednesday. They have been led by a balanced attack, with forward Jordan Burks emerging as a key contributor. Burks is coming off a 17-point performance against Mercer and has scored in double figures in four consecutive games. “We’re building confidence with each win, but we have to stay focused on the process,” UCF coach said. “This is another opportunity to improve before conference play.” UCF’s only loss came against Vanderbilt (105-93) on Nov. 8. Since then, the Knights have averaged 84.2 points per game during their win streak, showcasing an efficient offense paired with stout defense. They face a Florida Gulf Coast team (5-6) mired in a four-game losing skid. The Eagles are coming off a 75-59 road loss at New Mexico on Dec. 14, where they shot just 36.2% from the field. Guard Darren Williams, a player to watch for the Eagles, had eight points in that contest. Williams has shown flashes, including a 13-point outing at Florida International on Dec. 3, but consistency has been an issue for the entire FGCU lineup. “We have to get back to playing with energy and taking care of the basketball,” FGCU coach said. “Facing a team of UCF’s caliber on the road requires a complete, 40-minute effort.” The Eagles’ defense will be tested by a deep UCF roster. Beyond Burks, guards Riley Kugel (16 points vs. Mercer) and Jamichael Stillwell (12 points vs. Mercer) provide additional scoring punch. FGCU will need to find offensive production beyond Williams; Michael Duax and Jordan Ellerbee were the only other Eagles to score more than six points in the loss to New Mexico. This game serves as a final tune-up for both teams before holiday breaks. UCF opens a daunting Big 12 schedule on Jan. 3 against Kansas. Florida Gulf Coast begins ASUN Conference play on Jan. 1 at Central Arkansas. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST Saturday at CFE Arena.